Virginia State Sen. Ben Chafin Dies of Covid-19
News Friday evening of Virginia State Senator Ben Chafin’s passing quickly made the rounds in Commonwealth political circles. Chafin represented southwestern Virginia’s 38th Senate District….
LEBANON, Va. (WJHL) — Virginia state Sen. Ben Chafin (R-Lebanon) died Friday from COVID-19 complications, the senator’s office confirmed Friday night.
Chafin had been hospitalized at VCU Medical Center for two weeks, according to a news release.
The Russell County native represented the 38th District, which includes several Southwest Virginia counties. He first served in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2013 before being elected to the state Senate in 2014.
Sen. Chafin was 60 years old.
Condolences came in from around the Commonwealth.
Governor Ralph Northam (D)….
“With the passing of Senator Ben Chafin, Southwest Virginia has lost a strong advocate—and we have all lost a good man.
“I knew Ben as a lawmaker, an attorney, a banker, and a farmer raising beef cattle in Moccasin Valley, working the land just as generations of his family had done before him. He loved the outdoors, and he loved serving people even more. He pushed hard to bring jobs and investment to his district, and I will always be grateful for his courageous vote to expand health care for people who need it.
“Pam and I are praying for Lora and their children, and I have ordered the Virginia state flag to be lowered immediately in his honor and remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of his interment.
“This is sad news to begin a new year with the loss of a kind and gracious man. May we all recommit to taking extra steps to care for one another.
U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-9th Congressional District)
“Senator Ben Chafin was a great legislator as well as a friend. As a native of Southwest Virginia, he cared deeply for its people and was a tremendous advocate for them in the state Senate. I will miss this good and dedicated public servant. My prayers are with his wife Lora and his family.
Delegate Terry Kilgore (R-Scott)
“SWVA has lost a true leader. I am so sorry to lose my friend Senator Ben Chafin. Ben was a strong advocate for SWVA and a great Virginian. Please join me in lifting up Ben’s family in your prayers.”
State Senator Todd Pillion (R-40th Senate District)
“Amanda and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of our dear friend Senator Ben Chafin. Ben loved life, his family, his work, and the people of Southwest Virginia, for whom he advocated tirelessly. He was a beloved member of the Senate of Virginia, where he will be sorely missed by all. There is a hole in our hearts and in all of Virginia tonight. We extend our love and prayers to his wife, Lora, children Sophie, Audra, and Gus, and his entire family during this difficult time.”
State Senator Bill Stanley (R-20th Senate District)
“I am Just completely and utterly heartbroken with the passing of A true Virginia Gentlemen, Statesman and dear dear friend, Senator Ben Chafin. I loved to make him laugh just so I could hear it, I loved to listen to his passionate arguments on the floor just so I could wish that some day I might be just as good as he was at making them, and I loved being his friend, just so that I could say I was his friend to anyone who would listen. What a good soul he is, and we shall meet again my friend, but I am simply lost without you being here with us now. My wife and I along with our children, who served as Senate pages and loved him dearly, grieve tonight with the Chafin family and his wonderful wife Lora. He most certainly walks with the Angels now.”
Del Kirk Cox
“I am hurting alongside my General Assembly colleagues after learning of Ben’s passing. He was a good man. I was fortunate to serve with him in the House and work with him in the Senate. He was always welcoming and kind, and his dedication to Southwest Virginia was ever present. I am praying for his family and the Southwest Virginia community of which he was such an integral part.”
Delegate Israel O’Quinn (R-5th HOD)
“So sad to hear of the passing of our friend and colleague, Senator Ben Chafin. It’s a huge loss for SWVA and for his family and we all need to keep them in our prayers.”
Delegate Kirk Cox
“I am hurting alongside my General Assembly colleagues after learning of Ben’s passing. He was a good man. I was fortunate to serve with him in the House and work with him in the Senate. He was always welcoming and kind, and his dedication to Southwest Virginia was ever present. I am praying for his family and the Southwest Virginia community of which he was such an integral part.”
Virginia Senate Republican Caucus
“It is with profound sadness and sorrow that we learned of the passing of our good friend and colleague, Ben Chafin, this evening.”
Delegate Terry Austin
“Yesterday we lost a really good friend to the terrible virus. Ben and I went in the legislature together. We instantly had an admiration for each other and spent time together while in Richmond. He was the first person I told when I found out I had cancer, and it was his words of encouragement that gave me strength.
Ben loved his family and grandchildren and was always missing them while he was away doing the people’s business in Richmond. His love was farming and being outside. He built a very successful law practice and served on a community bank board of directors.
“His gentle, kind, loving spirit touched many lives. He always had time to listen, and offered words of wisdom on any subject matter. My time in the legislature will not be the same; friendships are more valuable than anything in life.
“Go rest high on that mountain my good friend, I will always value our time together.”
Chuck Slemp, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Wise County and City of Norton
“A wise man once said, ‘Try and leave this world a little better than you found it . . .’ Senator Ben Chafin was a mentor, friend, and shining example of servant leadership for all of us in Southwest Virginia. The world is a better place because of him.”
